Water samples from Beaver Beach at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park have tested positive for a type of blue-green algae that produces cyanotoxins. Visitors are advised to avoid swimming at Beaver Lake and to keep animals on a leash to prevent them from drinking or swimming in the lake. Elk Lake remains safe for the public. Read More>>

Gulf Islands Regional Trails Plan

The Capital Regional District is developing a Regional Trails Plan for Galiano, Mayne, North and South Pender, Salt Spring and Saturna Islands.

The Gulf Islands Regional Trails Plan will help foster tourism, recreation, active transportation, and economic development on the islands by setting a direction for the development of a regional trail on each of the six islands. The Regional Trails Plan complements the Experience the Gulf Islands initiative, and once developed, the trails will provide infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists to travel between ferry terminals and some key recreation, tourism and commercial areas on the islands.

Public Engagement

The CRD has drafted a Regional Trails Plan for the Gulf Islands that is ready for public review. The draft plan identifies a conceptual regional trail route on each of the main islands and outlines how regional trails will be developed.

General highlights of the plan will be on display at the following locations:

The CRD hosted open houses on each of the islands in March 2017 to gather input on preferred route options and priorities for the plan. Thank you to everyone who dropped in at the open houses to learn more and provide comments, and to those who submitted responses online.

CRD staff reviewed the feedback in order to develop a Draft Plan, which was submitted to the CRD Regional Parks Committee on June 21, 2017. The Committee is recommending to the Capital Regional District Board that the draft Regional Trails Plan for the Gulf Islands be made available for public review and comment. The CRD Board approved the draft plan at its meeting on July 12.

Background

The Board approved 2012-2021 CRD Regional Parks Strategic Plan includes an action that CRD staff “In partnership with other public agencies, local government and private landowners, initiate planning for the regional trails system on Salt Spring Island and Southern Gulf Islands.”

Planning for a system of trails on the Southern Gulf Islands was initiated in 2013 and public input was gathered regarding potential trails in 2014. This information will be used to inform the development of the plan in 2017.

Experience the Gulf Islands Initiative

The intent of the Experience the Gulf Islands (ETGI) initiative is to enhance the social, environmental and economic sustainability of the islands. This is an initiative of the Southern Gulf Islands and Salt Spring Island Economic Development Commissions. One component of the ETGI initiative is a connected pedestrian and cycling trail system on the islands. The ETGI Concept Plan supports a coordinated approach to the various local and regional trail planning projects. Read more >>

Mayne Island Demonstration Project

The CRD is planning a demonstration regional trail on Mayne Island. The trail will be designed to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. This project will inform the development of other routes in the Gulf Islands Regional Trails Plan. Construction of the demonstration trail will occur once adequate funding is secured. The draft design for the 2.3 km regional trail demonstration project will be showcased on September 9 at the Mayne Island Community Centre . Drop in between 11:30am - 2:30pm to view the design and talk with CRD staff.

Contact Us

What is the CRD?

The CRD is a local government that delivers 200+ local, regional and sub-regional services for residents of the region, including 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24 member Board of Directors, the CRD is working to serve the public, and build a vibrant, livable and sustainable region.